Gold Award for improvements to data used by planners and the emergency services

Our Planning and Building Control team has recently been recognised with a national award for improvements made to the quality of data we hold on the addresses of properties. 

This data is used across the whole council. It not only informs building and transport planning but is also important for the fire, police and ambulance services in responding to emergencies.

So why are addresses important?

From registering to vote to emptying bins, postal deliveries to getting a place at school or with a GP surgery, accurate address information is an essential part of our lives. 

But what would happen if you were involved in an accident at a bus shelter or an electricity substation for an example? How do the emergency services find an exact location that doesn’t have a ‘normal’ address or postcode?

Each addressable property in the country now has to have a Unique Property Reference Number which not only locates the building but links to other information about the property needed by the emergency services, transport authorities, utilities providers, national government and local councils. It’s described as a National Insurance number for physical objects.

Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy legislation was introduced on the information held for buildings of 18 metres and taller. This April that height was reduced to 11 metres, resulting in more buildings in the city being classified as tall buildings for these purposes.

We are now one of only 6 authorities in the South East who have achieved the Gold Standard for address data.